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The research aimed to identify ‘(1) current volatile solvent use practices, (2) health beliefs and perceived effects of volatile solvent use, (3) social dynamics of volatile solvent use, (4) significance of reputation, and (5) barriers to volatile solvent use intervention’ in a sample of Irish adolescents (Carroll et al, 1998, p1; Anderson & Loomis, 2003). Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 20 adolescents who reported inhaling volatile solvents, during the course of doctoral research (n=1,400) investigating substance misuse among adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Ireland. Their average age was 13.2 years, and they used a range of substances. Solvent users were found to be most commonly congregated in small peer and sibling groups and one young male also reported using alone. These young people indicated their average age of initiation of inhalant use as 10.3 years and most did not use inhalants after the age of 13 years. This coincided with first‐time alcohol use, at an average age of 12.5 years and experimental use of cannabis in some. All reported some awareness of short‐term medical risks involved in solvent use, and most commented on negative effects, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting. Teachers, probation and juvenile liaison officers, health promotion and drug education workers, youth workers, social workers, and parents should ‘familiarise themselves with the real world experiences of adolescent volatile solvent users’; in order to develop appropriate and timely drug education interventions (Carroll et al, 1998 p6).

The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on new information from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on deaths caused by volatile substance abuse (VSA) in Great Britain which occurred between 2001 and 2016.

Comparing the new study with previous mortality data, the authors consider the strengths and some limitations of the analysis provided by ONS.

By utilising a broader range of codes and collating additional information from death certificates, the new report provides a more comprehensive measure of VSA mortality than was previously available, showing increasing prevalence of deaths. The age profile of people dying is older than in previous studies. Most deaths were associated with inhalation of gases and almost three-quarters of deaths involved volatile substances alone.

Understanding VSA mortality is essential for service planning. It is important that we identify why so many people whose deaths are associated with VSA are not accessing treatment, with particular concern about treatment access for those who only use volatiles. Training to support drug and alcohol and other health service staff to respond to VSA is essential. In future reports, data to identify socioeconomic correlations of VSA deaths would enable targeted responses. Additionally, information on whether deaths occur in long term rather than episodic or one-off users could enable risk reduction education.

This paper shows how data on VSA deaths may inform for policy and service planning.

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with a random sample of 220 students from schools and youth training centres within a rural area of the south eastern region of Ireland. The results show that against the backdrop of rising drug use prevalence, the attitudes towards drug use of both adolescent users and abstainers have become more liberal and ‘normalised’.

Looks at the increasing pressure from both environmental and health and safety aspects to overcome the problems associated with solvent‐based adhesives and comply with current and proposed legislation. Discusses the four basic solutions of using solvent containment, safe and environmentally‐friendly solvents, high solids systems and solvent‐free adhesives. Concludes that the long‐term option is solvent‐free systems such as water based, hot‐melt and liquid reactive adhesives, but substantial advances in technology are required if they are to make major inroads in the solvent‐based adhesive market.

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether there are ways in which the preventive strategies used to tackle volatile substance abuse (VSA) can be usefully applied to today’s new psychoactive substances (NPS).

In 2010-2013, with funding from the Big Lottery, Re-Solv, in partnership with St George’s, University of London, and educari, commissioned a re-analysis of both the mortality data relating to VSA and of the legislative and preventative measures taken that may have played a part in the steady downward trend in VSA mortality since. This paper is informed by Re-Solv’s research findings and the papers resulting from it, namely, Ives (2013) and Butland et al. (2013).

Efforts to reduce the harm from NPS could benefit from a re-examination of preventive approaches to VSA, which have resulted in a downward trend in mortality over the past two decades.

There is evidence from past prevention practice which could be relevant and applied to present day concerns about drugs and substances not previously available or used.

This is the first paper to explore how learning from VSA might be applied to NPS and the “legal highs” of today.

Reviews the response of Government and drug agencies to the problem of volatile substance abuse (VSA). Describes how VSA has, in the past, been treated differently to abuse of other drugs, both legal and illegal, but that most agencies now believe it should be dealt with alongside other drugs. Reviews the main findings of a report on volatile substances from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, and the Government’s response to it. Describes the measure put in place in the UK to help control the supply of sniffable substances, and the need for education campaigns for parents and young people. Concludes there are no grounds for optimism, as the latest figures on deaths due to VSA show a rise. Gives recommendations for professionals who wish to seek further help for those involved with VSA.

The reasons why some people use illicit drugs recreationally and in a dependent, harmful, way are not clearly understood. Various factors have been put forward, each of which may play some part in affecting individual drug using outcomes. Rounsaville (1982), for example, analysed the life records of approximately 400 opiate users and identified two antecedents to drug use, childhood trauma and early antisocial or delinquent behaviour. Social background and deprivation have also been noted as possible preceding factors. Parker et al (1987) found correlations between heroin use and unemployment, overcrowding and other indices of deprivation. Other perspectives on use, cited by Johns (1990), include availability and peer influence. Sub‐culture has also been suggested as an important context to use (Becker, 1963; Williams, 1989). The Third Triennial Report to Congress (Department of Health and Public Service, 1991) focused on individual ‘risks’, which were categorised as biological (genetic), psychological, behavioural (anti‐social and delinquent activies), demographic (such as gender or ethnic factors), and environmental (arising from family or peer group influence). However, despite these and many other perspectives on pathways to illicit drug use and drug‐related harm, a comprehensive account which seeks to ground such practices in the complex interplay between the individual, their community and elements of social structure has yet to be achieved.

Describes the Parents’ Drugs Awareness Evenings run by Cambridgeshire County Council as part of the Department of Education and Employment’s drugs education support. Emphasizes that such initiatives need to take place alongside others aimed at training teachers and governors. Outlines the need to set down clear aims and basic concepts for those attending parents’ evenings. Describes the content of the evenings, including sessions of audience participation, definitions of drugs, solvent abuse, alcohol use and abuse, primary school pupils’ knowledge of drugs, and advice on what parents can do to help their children.

Although studies suggest alcohol abuse is not the major problem among offenders and others with intellectual disabilities (ID), it is still a significant problem. There are also suggestions that alcohol may have a more serious effect on those with ID. The purpose of this paper is to describe a treatment for alcohol-related difficulties designed for people with ID.

A programme for alcohol-related problems is described and four case studies are presented to illustrate the sessions and review the way in which people with ID have responded to the methods. The cases have a mixture of alcohol-related problems including anger, anxiety, social withdrawal and depression. The alcohol programme is coordinated with a range of person centred interventions for specific difficulties.

All cases responded to the programme positively. Two cases showed reductions in anger, two reported reductions in anxiety and one reported reductions in depression. All cases increased their alcohol knowledge considerably.

The programme seems promising in its approach to alcohol-related difficulties. It is noted that alcohol education alone is likely to improve participants’ wellbeing in the absence of coordinated intervention for other relevant personal difficulties. A controlled treatment trial for effectiveness is clearly required.

The paper describes a programme for alcohol-related problems and may be the first such programme that has contained pilot evaluation.